Breaking Boundaries - Politicians In Dancehall-Style Clash To Dispel Ideas Of Tribalism

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Daryl Vaz, Jamaica Labour Party member of parliament for West Portland, and Damion Crawford, People's National Party member of parliament for East Rural St Andrew, share a border. The constituencies they represent meet high in the Blue Mountains and, of course, they share space in Gordon House as Parliament meets.

Tonight they will meet on the flat as the latest pair of celebrities to square off in the Magnum All-Star $1,000,000 Face Off, which is held on Thursdays at Famous Nightclub, Portmore, St Catherine.

The celeb matchup precedes the main sound-system battle, which is being run in a league format. In that league, Redd Heat, Coppershot, Flava Unit, Bredda Hype and Ricky Trooper have an eye on the main prize of $1,000,000. The final show in the series is on December 19.

After the musical dust settles from the Crawford-Vaz encounter, Trooper and Redd Heat will do battle in the main clash.

The celebrities are in it for the fun and, in the case of Crawford and Vaz, there is also the larger political picture. "Maybe we can show and set an example for the people of the country that the politics that is presumed to be so tribal, is not," Vaz said.

Crawford said he expects a large audience to turn out as "people are talking about it on the streets".

Last week's highlight

The previous events in the series have also created a buzz. Last week's competing celebrities were Elephant Man and KipRich, the latter winning the matchup by a narrow margin.

The previous week, D'Angel won over Ishawna, a Bounty Killer dub plate playing a critical role in the encounter.

In the opening event on Thursday, October 31, Christopher 'Johnny' Daley dismissed Ity and Fancy Cat.

So far, Trooper has beaten Bredda Hype, Redd Heat has toppled Coppershot and Flava Unit has also beaten Bredda Hype. On November 28, there will be a double main face-off, with Coppershot against Flava Unit and Bredda Hype against Redd Heat.

In the Celeb Face Off it will be a case of female fury, as Pamputae and Lisa Hyper go toe to toe.

Other celebrity matchups in the Magnum All-Star $1,000,000 Face Off are Omari vs Prodigal Son (December 12) and a closing double on December 19, as Stacious tackles Danielle DI and Khago meets Mr Vegas.